In mourning for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre, President Bush has ordered all U.S. flags on public buildings and naval vessels flown at half-staff until sunset Sunday.

"Our nation grieves with those who have lost loved ones at Virginia Tech. We hold the victims in our hearts. We lift them up in our prayers and we ask a loving God to comfort those who are suffering," he said.

In that same spirit, university groups throughout the region have organized vigils for the victims and their families.

Tonight at 7, Robert Morris University will hold a flag-lowering ceremony outside Hale Center. Participants can then join in a vigil sponsored by the school's Campus Ministry Association, inside the Rogal Family Chapel.

At Indiana University of Pennsylvania, President Tony Atwater is inviting all members of the community to bring a candle to a vigil that begins tonight at 8 in Oak Grove. Memorial ribbons will be tied to a tree, and people can place flowers around it.

The first event will be held tonight at West Virginia University in Morgantown. The United Methodist Student Movement is sponsoring a vigil at 9 p.m. in the Mountainlair ballroom.

Student leaders at WVU have also organized a campuswide candlelight vigil for tomorrow at 9 p.m. It is scheduled for Woodburn Circle on the downtown campus but will move to the Mountainlair in case of bad weather. During the day, the Student Government Association will hand out remembrance ribbons in Virginia Tech colors of orange and maroon. Students can also sign a condolence banner in the Mountainlair.

At St. Vincent College in Latrobe, a Mass for the Virginia Tech victims will be held at 12:05 p.m. tomorrow in the Mary Mother of Wisdom student chapel. There will be a candlelight vigil in the same chapel at 10:30 p.m.

"We commend the souls of those who so suddenly departed us to God's tender, loving care," said St. Vincent President Jim Towey.

"May they rest in peace, and may their families be consoled in this time of unimaginable sorrow. We also pray for a complete recovery for those who were wounded, and for all of the members of the student body at Virginia Tech."

A cousin of a St. Vincent student was among the victims, he said, "but you do not have to know someone at Virginia Tech to be affected by yesterday's events."

Some Jewish students from Pittsburgh did know a number of Virginia Tech students because they shared a trip to Israel last May. Tomorrow at 7 p.m., there will be a solidarity vigil in the Hillel Jewish University Center. It will include Jewish prayers of mourning, prayers of healing for the wounded, the reading of the names of the dead as candles are lit for them, opportunities to do good deeds in their memory and a message board for students to post their thoughts. A licensed clinical social worker will be available afterward for anyone in need of counseling.